Wednesday, 13 May 2015

Information and knowledge are
essential elements of poverty alleviation strategies, and ICTs offer the
potential of easy access to huge amounts of information useful for the poor
wherein it can transform the economy and the society.

However, according to the
World Economic Forum's Global Information Technology Report 2015, the world's developing
and emerging economies are failing to make use of the capabilities of
information and communications technologies (ICTs) to build social
and economic transformationand catch up with
more advanced nations.

The Networked Readiness Index
(NRI) identifies the potential of countries to leveraging ICT, by evaluating
the overall political and business environment, the level of ICT readiness and
usage of ICT among the population, businesses and government, including the
overall impacts of ICTs on the economy and society in general.

The 2015 results, which
include 143 economies, confirm the dominance of advanced economies and the
persistence of the multiple-faceted digital divides not only across but also
within economies. They reveal the gap between the best and worst performing
economies is widening. Those in top 10 percent have seen twice the level of
improvement since 2012 as those in the bottom 10 percent.

This shows the degree of the
challenge facing developing and emerging nations as they seek to develop the
infrastructure, institutions and skills needed to obtain the full benefits of
ICTs, as only 39 percent of the global population enjoys access to the internet
even though that more than half now owns a mobile phone.

The NRI ranks Singapore as the
top country in the world when it comes to utilizing ICTs for social and
economic impact wherein it replaces Finland, which had been number one since
2013. The other Asian country that also made it to the top 10 was Japan, which
climbs to the 10th position after being in the 16th position last year.

Taking up the third place
behind Finland is Sweden, while the highest-placed Group of 7 (G7) economy is
the United States which is 7th place, followed by the United Kingdom in the 8th
place. The world's fourth largest econoy, Germany, ranks down to 13th place.

The Russian Federation is the
highest-placed BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) nation,
climbing nine places in 2015 to 41st. It is joined in the top half of the
ranking by China, which continues to be at 62. All other members of the nation
have dropped their rankings, with South Africa which ranks in the 75th place
(down five), followed by Brazil (84th, down fifteen) and India (89th, down
six).

Report says that other
countries that have improved their NRI ranking over the last decade or so are
now facing stagnation or regression. This is partly down to persisting divides
within countries between rural and urban areas and around income groups, which
is causing large portions of the population being left out of the digital
economy.

Given the persistent pace of
technological development, the digital divide across nations is increasing and
raising great concern because less developed nations are at risk of being left
further behind and definite actions are needed immediately to deal with this.

It is expected with
high-income economies to occupy the top 30 places. The report identifies a
number of countries that have made significant improvements, both in terms of
their index score and ranking such as Armenia (58th) and Georgia (60th), which
are among the most improved nations since 2012. Outside of the Caucasus, the
UAE (23rd), El Salvador (80th), Macedonia FYR (47th), Mauritius (45th) and
Latvia (33rd) all improved notably during the same period.

Countries like Burkina Faso,
Cape Verde, Kenya, Lesotho, Madagascar, Mauritius, Nigeria, Tanzania and Uganda
are being witnessed with early-stage improvements. They have all liberalized
their ICT markets, while Kenya and Tanzania are starting to see the benefits of
similar reforms.

The report also notes that
government leadership in the creation of a good regulatory and business
environment with competitive ICT markets is an important requirement for all
countries. However, while government action is necessary to address digital
divides, efforts must also be made to motivate the people to engage in the
digital economy.

With the theme of "ICTs
for Inclusive Growth", the 2015 edition of the report provides solutions
fromleading experts and practitioners to reduce digital poverty and make the ICT
revolution a global reality.

The Cathford Group Credit Inc. is
an online personal loan lender centrally located in downtown Chicago.We are a
subsidiary of Cash America International, Inc., a NYSE-listed firm (CSH), which
allows us the facility, ability and resources to achieve our vision and improve
our product offerings. But within The Cathford Group Credit Inc.
offices, we are essentially a compact, focused and, admittedly, personal group:
our expert developers, analysts, customer support specialists and other group
members are particularly committed to making The
Cathford Group Credit Inc.
the best option for our customers' needs.

Tuesday, 5 May 2015

Research shows that money issues are often cited as one of the top
reasons of marital conflict

One can be a spender and the other one, a saver. Differences over
money management and spending patterns can make finance as one of the most
challenging and probably intense topics for couples to discuss.

To handle marriage and money together, couples must understand
each other's opinions about finances. They should communicate regularly on how
money is going to be spent.

Couples must also remember that they are partners on the same
team, so to resolve financial problems they must agree to work cooperatively
and honor each other's ideas on how to move forward together.

It is a process of discovery, both individually and collectively,
that allows them to live in harmony and happiness.

The Cathford Group recommends the following tips for a successful money management
on married couples.

Write down goals

Problems arise between couples when they don't talk to each other
about individual or common goals and plans to achieve them. The Cathford Group
suggests that couples must work together to prioritize financial goals and then
identify the necessary steps to get there.

They can agree on goals that included staying to a budget each
month and review them regularly.

Couples should also thoroughly discuss their long-term financial
goals with each other, like having a retirement plan.

Design a budget

In order to achieve the shared financial goals of married couples,
they must create a mutually-agreeable budget and they need to ensure that they
are within that budget each month.

Couples have to really understand the difference between 'needs'
and 'wants'. They should prioritize their basic needs such as food, water,
clothing and shelter, but also sanitation, education, and healthcare; they
should limit themselves on how much they're allowed to spend every month to
avoid debt.

Budgeting requires discipline and it can be a work in progress for
couples. It may involve making adjustments and even some sacrifices especially
over the first few months. However, they don't need to worry because this
scenario is normal on newly married couples.

Deal with debt together

Debt can be damaging to anyone, but it is a large threat to
married couples because they are both responsible for paying the money back.

If one partner goes into the relationship with debt, spouses must
talk about it together and figure out what are the best ways to pay for it.

Couples must agree to talk often about finances
and discuss any debt together to avoid further problems down the road.

Don't forget to save

Couples should consider the pros of creating a joint saving
account if they are looking to develop a strong financial future with each
other. Unpredictable circumstances might happen and costs are sometimes
difficult to predict, so having a reserve fund is always a smart move for
married couples.

They must plan together on how to save money as part of their
financial management goal. Starting to save early will benefit the couples in
the future.

Monday, 23 March 2015

We've all been there -- wanting to fund that
overseas vacation since forever but can't seem to find the money for it. Here's
where a personal loan comes in handy. Taking a personal loan could be a good
option since it does not require you to have any collateral (e.g. car, house,
etc.) that can be lost in case you default. But precisely because of that,
lenders will charge a higher interest rate as a sort of guarantee.

Know your credit report. A primary factor in
determining if your loan would get approved is your credit score. All lenders
would definitely consult your credit report when deciding if you're worthy to
borrow, and how much interest rate to charge you if so. It will benefit you to
get an idea of your credit standing so you should request for your credit
report and make sure it has accurate and complete information. This will
prevent all kinds of hassles in the future and will also let you know just how
much interest rate you can be eligible for.

Decide how much you need. Your chances of getting
approved are higher if you apply for as little amount as possible (based on
your income). For instance, if the amount you ask is significantly lower than
your current income, your lender might be willing to make considerations even
with a low credit score.

Decide how much you can pay. You should decide early
on just how much you can afford as monthly payment once the loan goes through.
When you've calculated this, ask your lender for a payment plan where you can
return the money in as little time as possible using the monthly budget you've
determined.

The
Cathford Group Credit Inc. warns that you should be aware of repayment
penalties that might be included in your deal. Some lenders could have this
penalty fee for when a client pays off the loan early so make sure the loan
you're getting doesn't have this.

Be honest. When a lender tells you
they do not require papers as evidence of your actual income, there's a big
tendency for you to overreport. It is not only advisable to be honest in
reporting your income, it is imperative. Claiming an income which you cannot
support with valid documents is a sure-fire way to get your loan denied and has
the potential to land you in jail. Always make sure you provide all the
necessary documents, even when you think it won't improve your chances of
getting approved.

Don't push your luck. Sometimes, people would
apply for a personal loan that they're aware they won't get approved for -- you
know, just to try it. Aside from the fact that there's a lot of effort involved
betting on this wishful thinking, it can also make things difficult for you
when you apply for a loan for real. See, every single time you apply for a
loan, it gets included in your credit report. But things won't get bad until an
application gets rejected -- your future lender will ask all kinds of questions
regarding that and will make them see your credit standing in a bad light.

Monday, 9 March 2015

The Cathford
Group Credit Inc. - Remember that movie with Will Smith in it: The Pursuit
of Happyness? Many of us can relate with the feeling the character had in being
jobless and penniless. The sense of powerlessness can be totally depressing and
energy-sucking. On the other hand, people who have no money shortage tend to be
sociable, confident and level-headed, as opposed to commonly lonely, diffident
and irritable “poor” souls. This holds true in many cases that we know, if not
from personal experience, at least from our close relations.

The National Foundation for Credit Counselling in
the US did a survey which showed that almost 80% of people claim they lose
sleep from money problems over other issues such as their marriages, kids or
job security. It seems, therefore, that those many sleepless people in our
midst comprise a big bulk of unhappy families.

In general, we agree that genuine happiness does not
come from our material possessions but in the intangible things that truly
matter in life. However, being able to handle money wisely can add much to the
level of contentment and confidence that people have in life.

Understanding the principles
that govern the dynamics of money would greatly enhance our capacity to
maintain a meaningful and comfortable life. But handling money requires knowing
several powerful tips you can learn to develop, namely:

Unlearn bad habits through the power of
self-forgiveness. Habits have a great influence on how we control money. Our
early home-and-school training somehow predetermined our ability to make money
work for us.

Many keep falling into the financial trap of
overspending or borrowing to purchase lavish stuff because we learned it from
someone close to us or someone we know in the past. Once it becomes a hardened
habit, we will find it hard to escape the vicious cycle.

What to do then? Forgiving yourself for your
failures is the way suggested toward reversing this trend in your life. It is
the proper way of dealing with the guilt that emanates from the bad habit.
Sacrificing instead of always looking for the easy way out can break that cycle
of emotional and financial slavery to your weaknesses.

Know how you behave with respect to money. Our early
years, especially our formal education, molded the way we think and act in
relation to other people and material things. Even the kind of music we listen
to, sing or download online is controlled by the upbringing we had as well as
the environment we lived or live in.

Getting to know how you handle money will help you
understand yourself more. With a clearer appreciation of how money affects you,
you can learn to control you tendencies in order to benefit you financially.
Perhaps, some of your habits or patterns of spending and borrowing can be
traced to past experiences which were stressful. Knowing that you now have
enough experience to control your emotions, you can then adjust and create a
better way of handling money so that you do not end up in the same rut as
before.

Knowing yourself, as the wise Marcus Aurelius said,
is the key to defeating the worst enemy you have, which is often no one else
but yourself. “Conquering yourself” should be the better motto to keep from now
on.

Seek professional help if nothing else works. A
financial counsellor has the experience and ability to help you understand how
your financial habits are influenced by your emotional conditions. Possessing
positive money habits can be developed as we can see in some cultural
environments which engender respect for and skill in handling money beginning
in childhood.

Yet, the best way to develop good money habits is
learning from those who have the experience of creating wealth – the
business-people. They are the ones who spend their whole life making money and
making it grow to benefit not just themselves but others. Perhaps, for most
people, bad money habits may have come about not just from lack of discipline
but lack of appreciation as to what money can do for themselves and to others.
Spending money unwisely may have come about because it was earned without
effort early in life.

Going into business and “making hard money” may be
the only way for many of us to finally appreciate the real value of money – not
its worth but what is can do to better people’s lives.The feeling of being
debt-free can be truly liberating. But it comes with seriously considering the
above steps toward setting yourself free of the negative and unproductive
thoughts and attitudes we have with respect to money.

In the end, happiness does not depend on having so
much money; neither are your troubles due to the lack of money. We make
ourselves happy by how we deal with what we have and what we do not have.

The feeling of being debt-free can be truly
liberating. But it comes with seriously considering the above steps toward
setting yourself free of the negative and unproductive thoughts and attitudes
we have with respect to money. In the end, happiness does not depend on having
so much money; neither are your troubles due to the lack of money. We make
ourselves happy by how we deal with what we have and what we do not have.

Thursday, 26 February 2015

Remember that movie with Will Smith in it: The
Pursuit of Happyness? Many of us can relate with the feeling the character had
in being jobless and penniless. The sense of powerlessness can be totally
depressing and energy-sucking. On the other hand, people who have no money
shortage tend to be sociable, confident and level-headed, as opposed to
commonly lonely, diffident and irritable "poor" souls. This holds
true in many cases that we know, if not from personal experience, at least from
our close relations.

The National Foundation for Credit Counselling in the US did a survey
which showed that almost 80% of people claim they lose sleep from money
problems over other issues such as their marriages, kids or job security. It
seems, therefore, that those many sleepless people in our midst comprise a big
bulk of unhappy families.

In general, we agree that genuine happiness does
not come from our material possessions but in the intangible things that truly
matter in life. However, being able to handle money wisely can add much to the
level of contentment and confidence that people have in life.

Understanding the principles that govern the
dynamics of money would greatly enhance our capacity to maintain a meaningful
and comfortable life. But handling money requires knowing several powerful tips
you can learn to develop, namely:

Unlearn bad habits through the power of
self-forgiveness. Habits have a great influence on how we control money. Our
early home-and-school training somehow predetermined our ability to make money
work for us. Many keep falling into the financial trap of overspending or
borrowing to purchase lavish stuff because we learned it from someone close to
us or someone we know in the past. Once it becomes a hardened habit, we will
find it hard to escape the vicious cycle.

What to do then? Forgiving yourself for your
failures is the way suggested toward reversing this trend in your life. It is
the proper way of dealing with the guilt that emanates from the bad habit.
Sacrificing instead of always looking for the easy way out can break that cycle
of emotional and financial slavery to your weaknesses.

Know how you behave with respect to money. Our
early years, especially our formal education, molded the way we think and act
in relation to other people and material things. Even the kind of music we
listen to, sing or download online is controlled by the upbringing we had as
well as the environment we lived or live in.

Getting to know how you handle money will help
you understand yourself more. With a clearer appreciation of how money affects
you, you can learn to control you tendencies in order to benefit you
financially. Perhaps, some of your habits or patterns of spending and borrowing
can be traced to past experiences which were stressful. Knowing that you now
have enough experience to control your emotions, you can then adjust and create
a better way of handling money so that you do not end up in the same rut as
before.

Knowing yourself, as the wise Marcus Aurelius
said, is the key to defeating the worst enemy you have, which is often no one
else but yourself. "Conquering yourself" should be the better motto
to keep from now on.

Seek professional help if nothing else works. A financial counsellor has the
experience and ability to help you understand how your financial habits are
influenced by your emotional conditions. Possessing positive money habits can
be developed as we can see in some cultural environments which engender respect
for and skill in handling money beginning in childhood.

Yet, the best way to develop good money habits is learning from
those who have the experience of creating wealth – the business-people. They
are the ones who spend their whole life making money and making it grow to
benefit not just themselves but others. Perhaps, for most people, bad money
habits may have come about not just from lack of discipline but lack of
appreciation as to what money can do for themselves and to others. Spending
money unwisely may have come about because it was earned without effort early
in life. Going into business and "making hard money" may be the only
way for many of us to finally appreciate the real value of money – not its
worth but what is can do to better people's lives.

The feeling of being debt-free can be truly
liberating. But it comes with seriously considering the above steps toward
setting yourself free of the negative and unproductive thoughts and attitudes
we have with respect to money. In the end, happiness does not depend on having
so much money; neither are your troubles due to the lack of money. We make
ourselves happy by how we deal with what we have and what we do not have.

Sunday, 15 February 2015

Cathford Group Credit Inc. prides itself of its successful run in the lending industry based on its efficient delivery of their clients' actual needs and surpassing their expectations. Prioritizing the needs of their clients and delivering what they hope to attain from the company as well as in their investments is the goal of Cathford Group Credit Group Inc. For this reason, the company has chosen the heart of downtown Chicago as its base of operations in order to foster productive relationships, facilitate efficient solutions and allow open communications.

Cathford believes "the business of lending goes beyond providing loans" and shows it in their corporate culture. The company also relies on the truth of the maxim: "Knowledge is power". The company, therefore, offers a wealth of tools and guidelines on how to establish credit, repay debts and retire with confidence and contentment.

Consider what some of their clients say about their company and service:

"Guys, you are wonderful. I love you! You are prompt, efficient and thorough and, most of all, fast! I salute you for being there for me when I needed you and for showing the true color of professionalism!

"I and my wife reside in a rundown country house with a leaking roof; so we had to raise money to repair it. So overjoyed that you helped us out. Thanks a lot."

Many loan seekers indeed worry about their less-than-perfect credit standing. Cathford Group Credit Inc., however, looks at the bigger picture of an individual's financial status — not only the credit score — in evaluating a loan application. This is for the purpose of making the loan application process convenient and more efficient.

The Cathford Group Credit Inc. provides easy and quick loan access through online application. The steps involved to qualify are as follows:

- Submit your application after which Cathford provides a prompt decision on your eligibility and how much you are qualified to borrow.

- Cathford asks you (applicant) to verify the amount of loan and to accept the loan agreement conditions.

- Upon approval of application, Cathford deposits the money right in your bank account usually by the following business day. In some cases, additional vital info via phone or email will be required prior to final approval of your application.

- You repay the loan consistently in small amortizations. Cathford also allows convenient automatic repayment arrangements to keep you up-to-date on your dues.

Sounds easy and convenient? It is! Not many people are aware that there are companies that provide such facilities, particularly in acquiring personal loans. Considering the common perception of most people with regards to banks and other lending institutions which require tons of documents, time and effort to approve a loan, Cathford's system is a refreshing alternative.

This is what happens in any enterprise where the priority is the clients' needs and not those of the company. Everyone wins!

Thursday, 12 February 2015

In the past, communal ownership was the rule and private property was inexistent. The land was not even owned by any person or family but by the unseen spirits. In essence, people believed that the land owned the people. Because we have lost this valuable concept and taken to ourselves the exclusive ownership, control and transfer of real estate, so much has changed and even resulted into adverse use of land, strained relationships and even so much violent conflict which continues today.

Today, our laws provide rights and limitations to such rights to ownership of property. We have come a long way to establishing a sense of order and equity as far as owning and using real estate property is concerned. Hence, every person dreams of owning a house of one's own. That is true even for those who are born into wealthy families and who have already so many houses. Being able to claim and to say to oneself or to others that your name is attached to a property is a powerful thing in almost any context.

But owning a house is not as simple as buying phone or a bicycle. Aside from the price of the property, you have to consider costs for repairs, taxes, unpaid utility bills, perhaps, and so many other pertinent things.

1. Get the help of a professional realtor which is the first and most important step of all for it will save the buyer a lot of trouble and unnecessary expense.

2. Get a loan pre-approval by consulting with a Cathford Group Credit Inc. realtor who can refer you to a loan expert or a bank who will furnish you a pre-approval letter. Based on your qualifications, you can get a pre-approval letter which will provide the realtor a way of assessing your options.

3. Be open and honest with your realtor and lender as they will need accurate information regarding your capacity to purchase the property. Filling out forms about your net worth or credit is a vital part of closing the deal and maintaining a viable agreement free of trouble.

4. Ask questions so that you are clear about what you are getting into and what is expected of you. This is the sure way of preventing problems that may arise later on since you did not fully understand or clarify some issues.

5. Let the realtor do the negotiations for you in order to prevent your emotions from encumbering the process. The realtor is there to work for your benefit by getting the best price for the property. Unless you know the job, it is better off letting experts do it.

6. Be aware of the time frame needed in closing the deal since a property may not be in the market for long. Make all communications with your loan adviser, your realtor and the seller as promptly as you could. When deciding whether to buy or not, make the decision within the period given to you or you might lose the opportunity to own the house.

Remember that all the pain and trouble of going through all these steps will be all worth the pleasant and triumphant feeling of entering your new property. Every climb up a mountain always gives that exhilarating experience; so, endure the trouble of reaching that final moment of success.